Tile or brick machine



(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1,A E. FREBSB. TILE 0R BRICK'MAGHIN-E.

Patented Mayv 2 WfZ/VESSES.'

BM. PRBBSE. TILE OR BRICK MACHINE.

- 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.y

(No Model.)

No.'496,7'79. Patented May ,lwaes.'v

(No Modem 3 sheets-sheet 3..

E. M. PRESSE. 'IILB 0R BRICK IIIAGIIINII.` No. 496,779. Patented MayiZ, 1893.

WZJVESSES:

UNi'Tnn STATES PATENT Ormea.

EGBERT M. FREESE, OF PLYMOUTH, OHIO.

TILE OR BRICK MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 496,779, dated May 2, 1893.

Application tiled March 14, 1891. Serial No. 385,064. (No model.)

Vvention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, and in which- Figure l is a perspective view of my `improved machine, as it appears when put together, complete, and ready for use. Fig. 2 is a perspective View of the machine, taken apart to show the details of its construction. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the main frame or bed-plate, with its half-boxes or bearings. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the terminal shaft-bearing with its adjustable gland, friction-plates and thrust-plate or abutment. Fig. 5 is a perspective detail view of the gland which is shown in cross-section in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the central adjustable shaft-bearing and its seat; and Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view of the same, on line :v -:n in Fig. 6.

Like letters of reference denote corresponding parts in all the gures.

This invention has relation to tile or brick machinery of that type in which the clay, terracotta, or other plastic material of .which the tile or brick is to be made, is forced through a die or former by a continuous so-called auger-feed 0r screw-feed, and has for its objects: to simplify the construction of and t0 .strengthen the machine as a whole and make it capable of withstanding the great strain and pressure to which such machines are subjected while in operation, without adding unduly to the weight of metal; to prevent the hopper from becoming clogged or obstructed by the clay; to cause the plastic material to be thoroughly and homogeneously mixed be# fore it is fed to the die or former and made into bricks or tile; to provide means for the easy adjustment of the main shaft, if, through wear or from other causes, it gets out of proper alignment; and to provide for thorough lubri-` cation at the end at which it sustains the end thrust. I

With these several objects in view, my invention consists in the improved construction and combination of parts which will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

Reference being had to the accompanying xthree sheets of drawings, the letterA designates the forward end and A the rear end of the main frame, which is cast in one piece,

and supported upon legs, B, bolted to the under side of the frame. The forward part, A, has its solid middle portion depressed and recessed longitudinally to form a semi-cylind rical trough, C, the forward end of which is open (see Fig. 3), while its rear end is partially closed by the semi-circular abutment D. Back of this extends, horizontally, the open rear f part, A', of the frame, which is widened to accommodate the driving gears of the machine, and cast in one piece with the sideboxes, E, for one of the shafts, and also on its rear end with a stufling-box and abutment, F G, in alignment with the box seat, H, which latter is located back of the semi-cylindrical abutment D.

The nozzle, I, which is provided with a removable die or former, J of any desired shape and construction, isbolted to the forward end of the trough C, impinging withits upwardly projecting half part upon the semi-cylindrical front side of the trough cover C', to which it is also bolted by the ange K.- This cover or top part C is provided with lateral wings or extensions c, which are bolted upon the corresponding wings or extensions a, of the main frame A, and is closed at its rear end by a transverse diaphragm or abutment D', registering with the abutment D in the trough; said abutments D and D together forminga closure for one end of the cylindrical chamber formed by the trough C and its top or cover O,the forward end of said chamber being closed by the nozzle l. 1

The conveyer or screw-feed may consist of any desired number, form, and construction of disks, knives or cutters, arranged spirally, as usual in this class of machines upon and around a central main-shaft of conveyer-shaft L, the forward end of which projects with its spirals into the nozzle, while its rear end is IOO journaled in the box M and stuffing-box F. This box M is seated adjustably in the boxT seat I-I in the main frame, and may be raised or lowered, to effect the proper alignment of the shaft in a vertical plane, by means of thin plates or washers N, of sheet-metal, or other suitable material, as shown in Figs'. 6 and '7.

To effect the lateral alignment or adjustment of the shaft, the box may be adjusted laterally within its seat H, by means of setscrews or bolts O, which are inserted through the sides of the box-seat, bearing with their inner ends against the box, on opposite sides thereof, so that by adjusting these bolts, the movable box may be slid to one side or the other, within its seat, until the front end of the shaft has been adjusted centrally in the mouth of the nozzle I and the rear end of the shaft properly aligned with the rear abutment or thrust-plate G at the extreme rear end of the frame. After box M has been properly adjusted it is fastened by locking the bolts O by means of lock-nuts on said bolts, in the usual manner.

The main drive wheel P is keyed upon the rear end of the conveyer-shaft L within the open space formed by the rear end of frame A', and is operated by intermeshing cogywheels and a driving pulley in the usual manner.

As all the strain due to the forcing of the clay (or other plastic material) out through the former at the reduced end of the nozzle has to be borne by the shaft L, it is important that this should have a very solid and substantial bearing or abutment at its rear end, to receive i this strain, and also that it should be continuously lubricated by the most positive means to avoid undue friction. fulfill in my improved machine, by casting the main frame with the solid abutmentGat the rear end of the stufng-box F, the forward end ofsaid box, where the shaft enters, being closed by the gland P.

By adjusting box M both vertically and horizontally, by means of the washers N and bolts O as hereinbefore described, the front end of the shaft may be adjusted, in case of wear, central in the mouth of the nozzle I, and project through it, and may at the same time be properly aligned with box F and the center of its solid abutment G, between which and the fiat rear end of shaft L, I interpose a suitable number of washers or circular friction plates Q, set edgewise in the box, and impinging upon one another, so that by adding to or decreasing the number of these, the

shaft may be adjusted longitudinally so as to.

project the proper distance into the nozzle. These disks as they gradually wear out, are easily renewed, and in order to reduce friction between them to a minimum, the box is filled with oil or other suitable lubricating material, and packed with hemp or waste, which is held in place and compressed within the box by means of the gland P, which may be tightened up, as occasion requires, by

These conditions I means of nutted bolts inserted through the parallel sleeves, S, cast on opposite sides of the box. In this manner I provide a .firm and solid abutment or thrust-plate for the rear end of the shaft, and at the same time, means for ample lubrication, thereby materially reducing friction, while at the same time I provide simple and efficient means for the longitudinal adjustment of the conveyer shaft.

Thev top part C which, as we have seen, covers the upper half of the propeller or conveyer spirals, is open at the top so as to form a hopper which is provided with a longitudinal shaft T, located above and at one side of the conveyer shaft, but parallel therewith having a series of teeth or fin gers, U, mounted upon it, which may be of any desired shape and which project down between the spirals of the-conveyer. Upon the rearwardly projecting end of shaft T is fastened a cog-wheel V, which meshes with another cog-wheel W, keyed upon the rear part of shaft L. The hopper C with its toothed shaft, is covered by a box or casing X, forming a mouth'or entrance through which inlet the clay or other material may be fed to the machine, when the revolving teeth or fingers on shaft T will assist the plastic material in its passage downward, at the same time stirring and mixing it, and breaking itup so that it cannot choke the hopper. If desired, two of these toothed shafts, T, may be provided, one on each side, parallel to each other, and geared together so that they will revolve in opposite directions, or against each other; the clay (or other plastic material) in that case being fed into the hopper between the shafts; butwhile I prefer to use only one ot' these shafts, I do not wish to be understood as confining myself to the use of one only. The top casing X is ex tended to one side, as shown at Y, to form a flat cover for the gearing, said cover being supported at its free end by one or more props or supports Z, the lower ends of which Lare bolted or otherwise fastened upon the rear end of the main frame A.

This machine, it will be seen, is exceedingly compact, is very strongly built, and capable of withstanding enormous strain without undue wear or friction of any of its parts. It cannot become choked or stopped up with clay, involving stoppage and delay, but will work continuously and without intermission as long as supplied with material. One of the most important things in a machine of this type is to provide means for the proper adjustment and alignment of the feed or conveyer-shaft, and this I am enabled to do in a few moments and with absolute certainty whenever occasion demands it, by means of,

the adjustable boxes and friction plates.

In this class of machines, in practice, the propeller or conveyer has the effect of compactin g the surplus clay which is ,not forced into the nozzle, against the side of the casing, which will graduallyclog or fill up the space between said side and the spirals, rendering IOO IIO

the machine very inefficient in operation. To obviate this defect, I provide the rotating fingers U, located above and at one side of the conveyer shaft and projecting between the spirals thereof, which engage with the surplus clay and carry it up and over toward the opposite side of the casing to be again engaged by the spirals, thus preventing it from accumulating and packing between the casing and conveyer.

I am aware that'a brick machine has been proposed with a screw conveyer and a series of rotating fingers located above and in horizontal line with the conveyer, but is not broadly claimed by me as such could not accomplish the result produced by my invention.

Having thus described my invention, I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of. the United States- Y I. In a brick machine, the combination with the casing, and the rotatable screw propeller or conveyer located therein, of the rotatable shaftlocated above and at onel sideof the propeller or conveyei` shaft, provided with a 2'5 series of fingers or teeth, projecting between the spirals of the conveyer or propeller. I

2. In a tile orbrick machine, the. mam

frame A A"comprising the trough C, side flanges a a, boxes E, box-seat H, and box F 3o of a tile or brick machine, of the box F hav- 3 5 ing the solid end abutment G, anti-friction plates or washers Q, and adjustable gland P; substantially as and for the purpose shown and set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as 4o my own I have` hereunto aftixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

. EGBERI M. FREESE. Witnesses:

B. E.` PLACE, E. K. BRENNAN. 

